Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Galileo System: Expenditure

Lord Vinson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total cost to the UK of its participation in the Galileosatellite navigation system;and how much of this was recovered as an offset to the settlement cost of the UK leaving the European Union.

Lord Callanan: As an EU Member State and under the Transition Period, the UK did not contribute to individual programmes. The UK contributed to the EU Budget in entirety, as such it is not possible to attribute a financing share to any specific programme. For the EU Budget between the 2014 and 2019, the UK’s average financing share to the entire EU Budget was 12.3%. Further details of the UK contribution to the EU Budget are available in HM Treasury’s publication, European Union Finances Statement.European Union Finances Statement (pdf, 840.4KB)

Global Navigation Satellite Systems: Research

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty's Government what research and development support they are giving to further phases of the Marrinav project.

Lord Callanan: The MarRinav project was funded through the European Space Agency NAVISP scheme, which the UK contributes to. The industrial consortia are proposing additional activity to follow on from MarRinav but this has not been submitted for approval and evaluation at the time of this response.

Department of Health and Social Care

General Practitioners: Foreign Companies

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect GP medical practices in England from being purchased by US-based companies.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many GP medical practices in England are owned by US-based insurance and investment companies.

Lord Bethell: Information on general practitioner (GP) practice ownership is not held centrally. It is for local commissioners to arrange the provision of appropriate services, by contracting with providers, in order to best serve the needs of their patient population.Legislation sets out which individuals and companies are eligible to hold contracts to provide primary medical services. Eligibility varies slightly between contract type but there is no distinction in the eligibility criteria between companies registered in the United Kingdom and those registered overseas.All contract holders and providers of National Health Service core primary medical services are subject to the same requirements, regulation, and standards. Patients should receive high-quality NHS care when they need it, that is free at the point of use.

Lung Diseases: Health Services

Baroness Masham of Ilton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to restore respiratory care to its pre-pandemic level.

Lord Bethell: In 2020/21, the National Health Service Cardiovascular Disease and Respiratory programme has focussed its work on the response to COVID-19. This included bringing forward the implementation of Respiratory Clinical Networks. The networks are vital in promoting an integrated approach to respiratory care during the pandemic and are in parallel supporting delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan priorities.NHS England and NHS Improvement are working in close partnership with patients and partners, including the British Lung Foundation, to develop and implement policy on provisions of respiratory services in England.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allowimmunocompromised patients to have their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine sooner than 12 weeks.

Lord Bethell: On 14 May 2021, the Government accepted new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and announced that appointments for a second dose of a vaccine would be brought forward from 12 to eight weeks for the remaining people in the top nine priority groups who have yet to receive their second dose. This is to ensure the strongest possible protection from the virus at an earlier opportunity in response to the B1.617.2 variant of concern, first identified in India. As a result of this, immunosuppressed patients who are waiting to have their second dose may therefore be invited for to book an appointment within this revised timeframe.There are currently no plans to further reduce the length of time between the provision of first and second COVID-19 doses for people deemed to be clinically immunocompromised as a group. However, for some immunocompromised patients, the second vaccine dose can be given on different timescales. Patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapies, where clinically appropriate, should receive their vaccine doses at least two weeks prior to commencing therapy when their immune system is better able to respond. To maximise vaccine efficacy this may entail offering the second dose between the recommended minimum for that vaccine - three or four weeks after first dose - and the recommended maximum of twelve weeks.

Lung Diseases

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what role charities have played in collecting data for asthma and lung conditions throughoutthe COVID-19 pandemic; and what role they plan for charities who could collect such data to have inany future pandemics.

Lord Bethell: During the COVID-19 pandemic charities such as the British Lung Foundation and Asthma UK partnership and those working under the umbrella of the Lung Health Taskforce have collected data by conducting patient surveys and producing several reports.The patient surveys and research have provided the NHS England and NHS Improvement with useful insight into the experience of patients with lung disease during the pandemic, particularly their priorities and level of confidence in accessing services and how remote care can be best used. No assessment has yet been made of what role charities will have during future pandemics in collecting data for asthma and lung conditions.

Department for Education

Special Educational Needs

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure thatpeople with a learning disability can access educational provisionas adults.

Baroness Berridge: Education is a devolved matter, and as such, this response outlines our support for adults with learning disabilities in England.Adult skills are key in supporting the economy and tackling disadvantage, and so we are continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), worth £1.34 billion in the 2020/21 financial year. The AEB fully funds or co-funds skills provision for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to support adults to gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning and training up to level 2 for unemployed people aged 19 and over.The AEB funds colleges and providers to help adult learners to overcome barriers which prevent them from taking part in learning. This includes Learner Support to support learners with a specific financial hardship and learning support to meet the additional needs of learners with learning difficulties or disabilities.Learning support funding helps colleges and training providers to meet the additional needs of learners with learning difficulties or disabilities and to meet the costs of reasonable adjustments as set out in the Equality Act 2010.Learning support can cover a range of needs, including an assessment for dyslexia, funding to pay for specialist equipment or helpers and arranging signers or note-takers.

Apprentices: Taxation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the amount of unspent apprenticeship levy funds.

Baroness Berridge: The apprenticeship levy is an important part of our reforms to apprenticeships, which are vital for our economic recovery. As well as funding new apprenticeships for levy-paying employers, income from the levy is used to fund new apprenticeships for employers that do not pay the levy, as well as existing apprentices that started in previous years. Levy-paying employers have 24 months in which to spend the funds available to them before they begin to expire on a rolling, month-by-month basis. Expired apprenticeship levy funds are not lost but are used to support apprenticeships in smaller employers and to cover the ongoing costs of apprentices already in training.We continue to improve apprenticeships and to make it easier for employers to make full use of their levy funds. Levy-paying employers can transfer up to 25% of their annual funds to help support apprenticeship starts in their supply chain or to meet local skills needs. As announced at the Spending Review by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, we are improving the apprenticeship levy transfer process so that, from August 2021, employers who pay the levy will be able to pledge funds for transfer to other employers, including small-medium enterprises (SMEs), supported by a new online service to match levy payers with SMEs.In addition, we are making apprenticeships more flexible so that they better meet the needs of employers from all sectors. We continue to support employers by encouraging greater use of innovative apprenticeship training models, such as the front-loading of off-the-job training. We are also developing accelerated apprenticeships so that apprentices with substantial prior learning (e.g. T Level graduates) can complete an apprenticeship more quickly.We are also introducing a £7 million fund from July 2021 to help employers in England set up and expand flexi-job apprenticeship schemes, enabling people to work across multiple projects with different employers and benefit from the high-quality long-term training that an apprenticeship provides. We are consulting with employers to seek views on our vision and on how flexi-job apprenticeship schemes can support the growth of apprenticeships in certain sectors and professions.

The Senior Deputy Speaker

House of Lords: European Parliament

Lord Balfe: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the value to the House of Lords of the office space in the European Parliament building set aside for House staff; whether he is aware that the UK and Norway are the only two countries that are not members of the EU that are afforded such accommodation; what plans there are to post a member of House staff to Brussels on a permanent basis; and if there are no such plans, whether he intends to inform the European Parliament that the office is no longer required.

Lord Balfe: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker on how many occasions this year the office allocated to the House of Lords in the European Parliament building in Brussels has been visited by a member of House staff; and what plans there are for using that office in the near future.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: On 31 January 2020, the date the United Kingdom ceased to be a Member State of the European Union, the UK Parliament ceased to be an EU ‘national Parliament’, except for certain limited purposes set out in Article 128(2) of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.Up until this point designated staff of the House of Lords and House of Commons, as representatives of an EU ‘national Parliament’, were granted access to the European Parliament, along with office accommodation and other benefits. As the noble Lord points out, Norway has since 2012 been the only non-EU Member State to be granted comparable access thus far.Despite the UK’s changed status after 31 January 2020, the European Parliament continued to afford access to House staff for the duration of the transition period, and on 22 December 2020 the Secretary General of the European Parliament offered “continued hosting” for the two Houses’ representatives after the end of the transition period, subject to “appropriate practical arrangements in the light of the evolving relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom”.To date, no such practical arrangements have been required, given the guidance agreed by the House of Lords Commission in March 2020, which strongly discouraged overseas travel. Since that date there has been no committee or staff travel to Brussels, and the House’s representative has therefore undertaken the role remotely, using digital tools.The House of Lords Commission continues to review the guidance on overseas travel, taking account of Government advice and the wider public health situation, and decisions on staff travel to Brussels will be taken as and when the guidance is updated.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

North Korea: Human Rights

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they undertook, if any, in response to the report by Hogan LovellsCrimes against humanity:An independent legal opinion on the findings of theCommission of Inquiry on Human Rights in theDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea, published on 18 June 2014; and what assessment they have made of whether theirresponse to that report met their duties under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We noted the Hogan Lovells report of 18 June 2014. The UK is fully committed to honouring its legal obligations under the Genocide Convention. The Government's longstanding policy is that any judgment on whether genocide has occurred is a matter for competent courts. These include international courts, such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and national criminal courts that meet international standards of due process. Our approach is to seek an end to all violations of international law, and to prevent their further escalation, irrespective of whether these violations fit the definition of specific international crimes.

Iran: Weapons of Mass Destruction

Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk of a (1) chemical, (2) biological, (3) radiological, or (4) nuclear attack from a group supported by the government of Iran by 2030.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government has long been clear about its concerns over Iran's continued destabilising activity, including its political, financial and military support to a number of militant and proscribed groups. The Government continues to take every possible measure, in coordination with our international partners, to counter such threats in order to keep the British people safe and support regional and international security.

Iran: Weapons

Baroness Deech: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure any new agreement with the government of Iran permanently impedes that country's ability to develop and proliferate (1) nuclear, and (2) non-nuclear weapons.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs has been clear that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, and we are committed to working with our international partners to find a solution to Iranian proliferation in the region. The Government believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action represents the best - and currently the only - way of constraining Iran's nuclear programme, and we are working hard to find a diplomatic way forward which brings Iran back into compliance with its commitments and restores the non-proliferation benefits of the deal.We have always been clear that any sustainable solution will need to address a range of issues, including Iran's ballistic missile programme and destabilising activity in the region. The UK continues to enforce the EU arms embargo through domestic legislation; UN ballistic missile restrictions on Iran will also remain in place until 2023. There are also other sanctions regimes which restrict Iranian ability to proliferate weapons in the region, including those established by UN Security Council Resolutions 1540, 1701 and 2216.

Nepal: Forests

The Earl of Sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will continue to support community forest enterprises in Nepal in order to create employment and eradicate poverty.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government does not currently have a dedicated forestry programme in Nepal. We are however a significant contributor to World Bank programmes in forestry in Nepal, including the recently agreed $24 million 'Forests for Prosperity' programme.We also support forestry in the climate vulnerable west of Nepal through our £50 million Climate Smart Development programme. This programme includes work to increase afforestation, protect slopes and remove CO2, often working with local community forestry groups.

Tigray: Armed Conflict

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) reports of soldiers systematically killing men in Ethiopia, as reported in The Times on 8 May, and (2) whether such soldiers areoperating on behalf of the Eritrean military.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are deeply concerned at human rights abuses and violations in Ethiopia's Tigray region, including of Eritrea's significant role in them. We condemn violations as consistent with an apparent policy of collective punishment of Tigrayans. There are numerous shocking reports of atrocities committed by Eritrean forces in Tigray, and their continued presence is fueling insecurity. These forces must leave Ethiopia immediately. The Minister for Africa made this clear to the Eritrean Ambassador on 16 March, and we set this out in our joint statement with the G7 on 2 April and a G7 Communiqué on 5 May. Our Ambassador in Addis Ababa met with the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defence Force in the week of 26 April and pressed this point.We are closely monitoring the situation and are clear that their withdrawal must be swift, unconditional and verifiable. However, despite Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy's commitment that Eritrean troops would withdraw from Tigray we are yet to see any evidence that this is happening. We continue to press hard for this commitment to be delivered.

Developing Countries: Research

Lord Black of Brentwood: To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the total amount of funding disbursed via (1) the Newton Fund, (2) the Ross Fund, and (3) Product Development Partnerships, in each of the last three years; and what such funding has been allocated for the next three years.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Newton Fund budget in each of the last three years was: £115m (2018/19), £125m (2019/20) and £106m (2020/21).Spend on Ross Fund portfolio related activities over the last two years was: £101.4m (2018/19); £107.3m (2019/20).Spend on Product Development Partnerships over the last two years was: £91m (2018/19); £95.9m (2019/20).We do not yet have final audited spend figures for the Ross Fund or Product Development Partnerships for financial year 2020/21.Budgets have not yet been allocated to these portfolios for future years.

Greece: Refugees

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that the government of Greece has (1) sentenced a Syrian man to 52 years in prison for driving a refugee boat, and (2) charged an Afghan man and an Afghan woman with various offences at sea; and what representations theyhave madeto the government of Greece (1) about such reports, and (2) the treatment of refugees.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK recognises the challenges faced by Greece in dealing with the difficulties presented by irregular migration. We have not made specific representations with regard to the cases you refer, however we regularly engage Greek ministers and senior officials on these issues. The Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts met the Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum on 26 March to discuss respective priorities on irregular migration and asylum, and we will continue to work with Greek and international partners to identify opportunities to further support improved conditions for migrants in Greece.

Turkey: Trials

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to send observers to the trial in Turkey of 108 politicians for involvement in protests that occurred in 2014; and if not, why not.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government is closely monitoring this trial, and consistently reminds Turkey that we expect its government to undertake any legal processes or actions against members of opposition groups fairly, transparently and with full respect for the rule of law.Whilst the British Embassy in Ankara regularly sends representatives to attend high-profile trials in Turkey, joining representatives from like-minded countries, we are not planning to do so on this occasion because of restrictions due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We will continue to raise our human rights concerns with the Turkish government. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas did so most recently with her Turkish counterpart on 21 April.

Tigray: Armed Conflict

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement by Patriarch Abuna Mathias in April (1) that the government of Ethiopia and its allies are committing genocide in Tigray, and (2) that rape is being used as a weapon of warin that region.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We note the statement by Patriarch Abuna Mathias recently released on 8 May and his comments on genocide. As the Minister of State responsible for human rights issues for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, I tweeted on 11 May to express my deep sadness at the reported murder of priests in Tigray. This is one of a deluge of reports of atrocities coming out of Tigray. Civilians must be protected and the violence must stop.The UK's longstanding position is that determining whether a situation amounts to genocide is an issue for competent national and international courts, not governments: our focus is on seeing an end to violence and protecting civilians. The UK is appalled by reports of widespread gender-based violence, including rape, in the Tigray region. The G7, under the UK Presidency, issued a communique on 5 May which condemned rape and sexual exploitation, and other forms of gender-based violence, and called for all parties to cease hostilities immediately, ensure respect human rights and international law and hold those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, including sexual violence, accountable. The UK will support the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that their joint investigations into atrocities in Tigray with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission are independent, transparent and impartial and that those responsible for these human rights abuses are held to account.

UNAIDS: Finance

Lord Collins of Highbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultation they have had with (1) community and civil society organisations, (2) UNAIDS Programme Committee Members, and (3) other donors, about the proposal to reduce their funding to UNAIDS.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: HMG has communicated with UNAIDS as well as the Programme Coordinating Board on which other donors are represented, regarding UNAID's provisional funding allocation for 21/22. The UK regularly consults with civil society organisations, and shares their determination in advocating for the rights and needs of the most marginalised groups affected by HIV. The UK remains committed to addressing HIV and AIDS through our commitments to the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and malaria, and our work in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). We remain committed to a strong UNAIDS, and are fully engaged in the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board.

Ethiopia: Overseas Aid and Overseas Trade

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to reports of atrocities being committed in Tigray,what assessment they have made of (1) UK trade links with Ethiopia, and (2) UK aid funding to the government of Ethiopia.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has broad and deep relationship with Ethiopia, including on trade and we remain committed to the development of Ethiopia and its people. We are therefore deeply concerned by the potential for the conflict in Tigray to impact the trade relationship and investor confidence in Ethiopia. The UK has been consistent in calling for an end to violence, the protection of civilians, unfettered humanitarian access, and respect for human rights. UK-funded aid agencies in Tigray are delivering support in challenging circumstances, including food, shelter, water and healthcare. In FY 2020-2021, the UK provided £22 million of much needed support to people in Tigray, in addition to over £100 million of humanitarian support to Ethiopia as a whole.

Tigray: Armed Conflict

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia about reports of sexual violence and other atrocities in Tigray.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is appalled by reports of atrocities including widespread rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated by different armed groups in Tigray. This is unacceptable.The G7, under the UK Presidency, issued a communique on 5 May which condemned rape and sexual exploitation, and other forms of gender-based violence and called for all parties to cease hostilities immediately, ensure respect human rights and international law and hold those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, including sexual violence, accountable. The UK will support the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that their joint investigations into atrocities in Tigray with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission are independent, transparent and impartial and that those responsible for these human rights abuses are held to account.

UNAIDS: Human Rights

Lord Collins of Highbury: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ability for UNAIDS to influence policy reforms that strengthen the rights of marginalised people, including (1) the decriminalisation, and (2) destigmatisation, of LGBTQI communities.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK provides funding to UNAIDS to support its leadership role in the HIV response. Through our programme partnership agreement, the UK assesses the work of UNAIDS against agreed indicators, including those relating to its work on strengthening the rights of marginalised people.

Turkey: Freedom of Expression and Religious Freedom

The Lord Bishop of Southwark: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the conviction ofSefer (Aho) Bileçen of the Mor Yahqup d-Qarne Monastery on terrorism charges in April, what assessment they have made of the government of Turkey’s policies towards freedom of (1) religion, and (2) cultural expression.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government closely monitors issues around freedom of religion and cultural expression in Turkey. In addition, we regularly remind Turkey that we expect the Government to undertake any legal processes or actions against religious minorities fairly, transparently and with full respect for the rule of law.We strongly support all religious and cultural minority groups in Turkey, including Christians, and continue to encourage the Turkish authorities to safeguard their welfare and respect their human rights in line with provisions in the Turkish constitution that protect the rights of religious minorities. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas did so most recently with her Turkish counterpart on 21 April.

Uganda: Sexual Offences

Lord Cashman: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representationsthey have made to the government of Uganda about the passing of the Sexual Offences Bill, and in particular Clause 11(i)of that Bill.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We note that the Parliament of Uganda passed the Sexual Offences Bill on 3 May. We are very concerned about the retention of dated language in Clause 11(i) which continues to criminalise homosexuality. We recognise the impact this has on the LGBT+ community.We make regular representations to the Government of Uganda on this issue through our High Commission in Kampala. We also work through international organisations, including the UN, Council of Europe, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Commonwealth, to address discriminatory laws and end discrimination against LGBT+ people.The UK plays an active role across the world in support of LGBT+ rights. There needs to be an end to violence and discrimination against LGBT+ people. The Minister for Africa made this clear when he spoke at the launch of the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives in December 2020. We will continue to challenge governments that criminalise homosexuality directly and at the highest political levels.

Armenia: Azerbaijan

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they had made of the extent of systematic racism towards Armenians in Azerbaijan following the opening of Azerbaijan’s War Park and its de-humanising mannequins depicting Armenians.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government has made no such assessment. We are aware of the opening of a museum in Azerbaijan following the recent Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. During her February visit to the region, the Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas urged all sides to refrain from rhetoric or actions that may delay dialogue or reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Ethiopia: Dams

Lord Stone of Blackheath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the Anglo-Ethiopian Treaty of 1902 for the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam; whether they received any representations from the government of Ethiopia before construction work on that Dam began; and if not, what steps they intend to take.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK continues to urge all parties involved in the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam - Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan - to come to an agreement on the filling and operation of the dam. We support the efforts by the African Union (AU) to help find agreement, and ensure that water resources are managed in a way that ensures their long-term sustainable use for all parties.

Nagorno Karabakh: Armed Conflict

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report byBaroness CoxContinuing Impunity - Azerbaijani-Turkish offensives against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh, published on 24 April.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government is aware of the report by Baroness Cox. During her February visit to the region, the Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas urged all sides to refrain from rhetoric or actions that may delay dialogue or reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We continue to urge engagement with the OSCE Minsk Group and Minsk Group Co-Chairs to settle all outstanding matters following last year's conflict to ensure a secure and stable future.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect that UK production of vaccines will be sufficient to send doses to developing countries, beyond those doses already arranged through the COVAX framework.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government recognises that the fight against COVID-19 is a global effort requiring international collaboration, but our first priority is to protect the British public.We are committed to rapid, equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, and have committed to sharing the majority of any excess doses from the UK supply with COVAX. As the multilateral mechanism set up to support international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines, COVAX is best placed in allocating any surplus vaccines, and the UK has already committed £548 million to COVAX.

Armenia: Genocide

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to President Biden’s formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide on behalf of the US government, what plans they have to review their position towards the Armenian Genocide.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The events of 1915-1916 were a tragic episode in the history of the Armenian people and they must never be forgotten. The UK Government of the day condemned the massacres and this Government fully endorses that view. The longstanding policy of the UK Government is that any judgement on whether genocide has occurred is a matter for competent courts, rather than for governments.

Armenia: Azerbaijan

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report that the Azerbaijani military blocked Russian peacekeepers accompanying Armenian pilgrims to the Dadivank Monastery in Nagorno-Karabakh, what representations they have made to the governments of (1) Azerbaijan, and (2) Russia, to ensure the continued rights of Armenians to practise their religion in sites located in the territory ceded to Azerbaijan.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas has emphasised to both the Armenian and Azerbaijani Governments the importance of protecting all cultural heritage sites. The UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan has also raised this issue with representatives of the Azerbaijani Government. While we have not discussed this specific issue with the government of Russia, we continue to underline our support for the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in reaching a lasting settlement to the conflict and for the important work of international organisations addressing the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.

Azerbaijan: Parks

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the opening of the Spoils of War park in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government is aware of the opening of a museum in Azerbaijan following the recent Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. During her February visit to the region, the Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas urged all sides to refrain from rhetoric or actions that may delay dialogue or reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan: Racial Discrimination

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of a rise in anti-Armenian xenophobia in Azerbaijan among (1) the government, and (2) the media, of that country.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government has made no such assessment. During her February visit to the region, the Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas urged all sides to refrain from rhetoric or actions that may delay dialogue or reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We continue to urge engagement with the OSCE Minsk Group and Minsk Group Co-Chairs to settle all outstanding matters following last year's conflict.

Nigeria: Christianity

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of the murder and abduction of Christians in Nigeria; and what discussions they have had with the government of Nigeria about these reports.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Government condemns violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria. In the North East, terrorist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, have abducted and killed individuals from Christian and Muslim communities. These groups target all those who do not subscribe to their extremist views. We are deeply concerned for the welfare of those still held in captivity by these groups. The UK Government is providing a comprehensive package of humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to support communities affected by the conflict. We are also concerned by recent criminal attacks on schools in Northern Nigeria, which have targeted students of all religions. We continue to raise these cases with the Nigerian Government.Intercommunal violence also has a devastating impact on affected communities. The underlying drivers of violence are complex, and frequently relate to competition over resources and increasing criminality. The Minister for Africa visited Nigeria in April and discussed increasing insecurity across the country with the President’s Chief of Staff, Foreign Minister and community leaders. We continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

Armenia: Azerbaijan

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Azerbaijan about the continuing detention of Armenian prisoners, particularly in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: During recent visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Minister for the Americas and European Neighbourhood urged both parties to work with the ICRC to expedite the returns of all prisoners of war. Our Embassies in Baku and Yerevan continue to raise this with the Governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan. The UK Government will continue to support both sides in abiding by the November peace deal and to settle all outstanding matters through talks under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group.

Armenia: Azerbaijan

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan following reports that 19 Armenian prisoners of war, including civilians, were tortured and killed in detention centres.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are deeply concerned by accusations from both sides that war crimes were committed during the conflict and afterwards. During her visit to the region in February the Minister for the European Neighbourhood met with representatives of both Governments and highlighted UK concerns over reports of war crimes and the need for allegations to be thoroughly investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Cyprus: Birds

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Cyprus about the killing of migrant birds.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government opposes the illegal trapping of birds, which is a widespread issue across the whole of Cyprus. Whilst songbirds are a protected species under Cypriot law, trapping and eating song birds unfortunately remains a practice in some Cypriot communities, and substantial profits can still be made by those who organise and control this activity. The Government has conveyed the strength of UK public concern to the Government of Cyprus, including during a May 2019 visit by the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey. The UK and the Republic of Cyprus will continue to work together on the issue.

Tigray: Armed Conflict

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of targeted killings of Ethiopian Orthodox priests in Tigray; and what action they are taking as a result.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: As the Minister of State responsible for human rights issues for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, I tweeted on 11 May to express my deep sadness at the reported murder of priests in Tigray. This is one of a deluge of horrifying reports of atrocities coming out of Tigray. Civilians must be protected and the violence must stop.The G7, under the UK Presidency, issued a statement on 2 April and a Communiqué on 5 May condemning human rights violations and abuses. The UK also condemned in the strongest terms the reported killings of civilians via a joint statement on Ethiopia with 41 other countries at the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council. We support the UN's call for a "zero tolerance" policy and welcome the UN Security Council's 22 April Press Statement expressing their deep concern about allegations of human rights violations and abuses in the Tigray region. The UK will support the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure that their joint investigations with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission into atrocities in Tigray are independent, transparent and impartial and that those responsible for these human rights abuses are held to account. The Foreign Secretary, Minister for Africa and our Ambassador in Addis continue to raise human rights issues in their discussions with the Ethiopian government.

Tigray: Armed Conflict

Baroness Helic: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan todeploy members of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative Team of Experts to Ethiopia and Sudan in response to reports of sexual violence in Tigray; and if so, when any such deployment will commence.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We are working to promote justice for survivors of sexual violence, to provide support to survivors and children born of conflict related sexual violence and to prevent sexual violence from occurring. Preparations are underway to deploy expertise from the UK Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Team of Experts to the region. British Embassy staff conducted a specific protection mission in Shire in Tigray on 4-7 April. It included the assessment of the current Gender-Based Violence response, specific emergency services provided in camps and the gaps that need to be filled. They interviewed staff and volunteers supporting survivors of sexual violence to identify essential activities required to address the immediate needs of the survivors as well as the accountability needs to ensure well-informed and effective assistance.

Nagorno Karabakh: Cultural Heritage

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Azerbaijan about UNESCO's proposal to send a mission to Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas has emphasised the importance of protecting all cultural heritage sites to both the Armenian and Azerbaijani Governments. The UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan has also raised this issue with representatives of the Azerbaijani Government. We continue to underline our support for the efforts of UNESCO.

Armenia: Azerbaijan

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan following evidence that the Armenian Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shusha is being deliberately desecrated.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The Minister for European Neighbourhood and the Americas has emphasised the importance of protecting all cultural heritage sites to both the Armenian and Azerbaijani Governments, most recently during her visits to the region in February. We continue to underline our support for the efforts of UNESCO in this regard.

Department for Work and Pensions

Social Security Benefits: EEA Nationals

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock: To ask Her Majesty's Government whetherEEA nationals over state pension age who have not applied to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June will continue to be eligible to receive (1) Pension Credit, (2) Housing Benefit, and (3) other benefits.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: From 1 July 2021, EEA and Swiss citizens will be required to have immigration status to carry on living and working in the UK and to access non-contributory benefits in the UK. EEA and Swiss citizens who were living in the UK by 31 December 2020, and their family members, need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021. DWP are working closely with the Home Office and other government departments to ensure we are using all available resources to engage with groups who need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). Support for applicants who need it remains available, including from the network of 72 organisations across the UK grant-funded by the Home Office to help vulnerable people apply to the EUSS. Those who have made an application to the EU Settlement Scheme, but have yet to receive an immigration status before the deadline, will continue to receive benefits as long as they satisfy the entitlement conditions for that benefit. Where an EEA or Swiss citizen, who was resident here before the end of the transition period, has reasonable grounds for missing the EU Settlement Scheme application deadline, they will be given a further opportunity to apply.

Occupational Pensions

Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government where responsibility lies for the monitoring of pension scheme charges in automatic enrolment workplace schemes.

Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps members of workplace pension schemes can take if they consider their employer scheme charges are excessively high.

Baroness Altmann: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plansthey have to protect members of workplace pension schemes whose employers have not selected a suitable scheme.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: As part of the introduction of automatic enrolment, requirements were put in place, under the Pensions Act 2008, to ensure that workplace pension schemes selected by an employer to meet their obligations satisfy certain quality and governance standards. The Pensions Regulator enforces employer compliance with the Automatic Enrolment duties.The Government regularly undertakes public consultations on private pensions policy and encourages all interested parties, including scheme members to submit their views. In 2020, the department undertook a review of the charge cap and accompanying Pensions Charges Survey. The review concluded that the current level of the charge cap remained appropriate at 0.75 per cent of funds under management within the default arrangement, or an equivalent combination charge.On 24th May, the department launched a public consultation looking at Permitted Charges within DC Pensions. The consultation seeks views on a proposal to move to a universal charging structure within the charge cap to improve member comprehension of charges, and in turn better enable members to compare pension products if they wish. This consultation also confirms our intention to set a de Minimis on the charging of flats fees within the cap. This will help limit the erosion of small pots of £100 or less, where a flat fee is charged.

Home Office

Hassockfield Immigration Removal Centre

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they usedin the decision to open a new immigration detention centre in Country Durham.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The immigration removal estate is kept under ongoing review to ensure that the Home Office has sufficient resilience, geographical footprint and capacity for the men and women it proves necessary to detain for the purposes of removal, while providing value for money.As part of our plans to manage the closure and return of the Morton Hall immigration removal centre (IRC) to Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, the Home Office considered a number of options to maintain necessary capacity in the estate, including the opening of a new IRC.Given the timescales and value for money considerations, acquiring the vacant Hassockfield site to open as an IRC for women was considered the most cost-effective option for maintaining immigration detention capacity.

Asylum: Napier Barracks

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the most recent report on the use of the Napier Barracks as accommodation for asylum seekers.

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for the future use of the Penally Camp; and what consultations are taking place with the Welsh Government about that site.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The use of Penally Training Camp as contingency asylum accommodation ceased on 19 March 2021, with all asylum seekers relocated to alternative accommodation. The site is was handed back to the Ministry of Defence on 13 May 2021.The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration inspection is ongoing, and the timing of a final inspection report on Contingency Asylum Accommodation is a matter for the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration.

Immigration: Glasgow

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of inability of immigration officials to detain two individuals in Glasgow on 14 May; and what further steps they will takeenforce immigration law as a result of that incident.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: As is established practice following events such as these the Home Office is conducting a review of the routine and lawful operation in Glasgow on 13 May 2021.This is being done in conjunction with Police Scotland who had responsibility for public order during this incident.Home Office operations including visits, crime reduction and street operations play a critical role in detecting and deterring immigration abuse and reducing the harm caused by illegal immigration, such as modern slavery, people trafficking and smuggling. The Home Office will continue to conduct such operations throughout the UK.

Northern Ireland Office

European Council and European Parliament: Northern Ireland

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask Her Majesty's Government in which areas (1) the European Parliament, or (2) the European Council, are co-legislators for Northern Ireland.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The Government do not recognise the concept of a co-legislator. The legislatures for Northern Ireland are the Assembly and the Houses of Parliament. The Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol gives effect to a limited group of technical EU legal rules considered necessary to facilitate trade and the movement of agrifoods. The Protocol provides for forums in which forthcoming legislation can be discussed, including whether new areas of law should be applied. New pieces of EU legislation that amend or replace acts referred to in the Protocol are notified to the Joint Consultative Working Group. New EU legislation that is within the scope of the Protocol but does not amend or replace acts listed in the Annexes of the Protocol, does not apply unless there is a Joint Committee decision to add the new act.

Northern Ireland Office: Equality

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are under investigation by the Equality Commission over alleged breaches ofequality duties related to the Northern Ireland legacy proposals published in March 2020.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing investigations being carried out by the Equality Commission. However, I can confirm that the Northern Ireland Office is fully committed to fulfilling its equality duties.

Department for International Trade

Free Zones: Trade Agreements

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of each of the continuity trade agreements that they have signed since leaving the EU on their plans for freeports and, in particular, the tariffs paid by companies based in freeports.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: There is ongoing analysis on the benefits arising from freeports; the outcomes of this will shape how British businesses, including those utilising preferences as a result of the United Kingdom’s signed continuity agreements, can best make use of the opportunities that freeports create.

Overseas Trade: Small Businesses

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support small businesses to digitalise their overseas trade operations.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The Department for International Trade’s E-Exporting Programme helps UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increase exports through digital channels. The Programme’s Selling Online Overseas tool lists 50 international marketplaces (backed by our webinar programme) to help, educate and onboard UK companies to sell overseas. We also have a network of E-Commerce and International Trade Advisers in the regions to help SMEs wishing to sell directly to consumers through their own websites. Additionally, my Hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the Minister for Exports, announced a new package of measures on 8 September 2020 to support the retail and consumer sectors. This bounce back package aimed to support companies affected by the pandemic and included a programme of e-commerce training and support for SMEs.